Clan Sinclair Association, Inc. (USA) January-March 2010

ROSSLYN Rosslyn , ante 1700, engraving by John Gellatly CASTLE

This July marks the ten year anniversary of the first international Gathering in . One of it’s highlights was a visit to Rosslyn Castle hosted by Peter and Helen Rosslyn and their children. Gathering attendees were given free reign to explore the castle and its grounds. The hosts furnished each attendee with a set of notes to guide them on their tour and to explain a little of the castle’s rich and colorful history. Now ten years later, these notes are published here for those interested in the castle and its colorful history....the editor

osslyn Castle stands on R a rocky promontory surrounded on three sides by the famous river, North Esk. It is approached by a road beside what was originally a deep ravine, once spanned by a ; through it lay a road to the south, crossing the river by a bridge, and this road was used by people going to the of Hawthornden, Dalkeith, Borthwick and the Monasteries of Newbattle, Temple and Mount . The middle arch of this bridge was destroyed around A.D. 1700 and the bridge no longer exists, although the abutment of the north side of it is still visible. The existing bridge giving access to the castle is 50 feet high. On passing under the archway through which Kings and Queens and heroes have entered the castle, the ruins of the earliest part of the building can be seen-the tower at the north-east corner. It was called the ‘lantern,’ or ‘lamp tower’ and was probably built about 1304, shortly after the 1302. At the bottom of the wall adjoining it, there are the remains of a stair of nine steps cut in the face of the rock, which probably once led to a terrace above. The dungeon or ‘’ on the south-west corner was built about 1390. Father Hay says that Sir Henry, the second Prince of , ‘builded the great dungeon of Rosslyn and other walls thereabout, together with parks for red and fallow deer.’ The keep was five stories high and 50 feet long. The founder of the Chapel, Sir William St Clair, who succeeded to the estate about 1471, enlarged and strengthened the castle considerably, and employed a great number of workmen to do so. “He builded the church walls of Rosline, having rounds (buttresses) with fair chambers and galleries thereon; he builded also the forework that looks north-east; he builded the bridge under the castle and a fruit orchard, and sundry office-houses.’ Nothing now remains of the church walls, the galleries and fair chambers, or the ‘office houses,’ all of which would have been needed to accommodate the numerous dependents with whom the Prince was surrounded. Many French features were introduced in the additions to the castle, especially in the galleries and projecting chambers and , probably as a result of Sir William and his princess spending a lot of time in France. One of the most interesting features is that the west wall of with buttresses or ‘rounds’ is unique, in that there is only one other like it, the 12th century Chateau Guillard on the River Seine which was built by Richard I. It is also interesting to see the oyster shells in the mortar used in building the walls; oysters were plentiful and cheap in

(Continued on page 6) Clan Sinclair Association, Inc. ASSOCIATION OFFICERS NY Mary Raye Casper, 315-673-9044 [email protected] United States of America Mel Sinclair, President, 864-244-1870 RI Ian Barlow Sinclair, 401-949-0146 [email protected] Founded in 1978, Clan Sinclair Association, SC Gene Sinclair, 803-641-1623 Inc. (U.S.A.) is a non profit organization Tom Robinson, whose membership consists of descendants [email protected] Membership Chairman/Central Vice President and friends of the (family) of 972-816-2816 [email protected] TN Steven J. Snoddy, 615-297-1528 Sinclair (all various spellings included). Its [email protected] purpose is to promote and perpetuate family Donald M. Sinclair, Western Vice President tradition within the context of Scottish history 714-968-5131 [email protected] Stan St. Clair, 931-668-2860 and culture. Membership is open to persons [email protected] with the surnames of Sinclair (St. Clair) and Fred Inkster, Northwestern Area Commissioner any of its adherent families, descendants of 541-440-8938 [email protected] VA Alison Sinclair, 804-559-9786 [email protected] Sinclairs and friends of the clan. A Mary Jane Selver, Eastern Vice President membership form is included in this 603-423-5996 [email protected] Ward L. Ginn, Jr., 703-430-6745 newsletter. [email protected] Sindy Barker, Secretary/Treasurer Yours Aye, the official newsletter of the Clan 919-542-2795 [email protected] Central Region Sinclair Association, Inc. USA. is published Ward L. Ginn, Jr., four times a year. The newsletter is mailed AR Mike Croft, 704-691-4070 Clan Historian/Yours Aye Editor free to members as one of several benefits of [email protected] 703-430-6745 [email protected] membership. KY Julia Sinclair, 317-776-1145 Contribution of articles or other information AJ Ginn, Membership Secretary [email protected] 703-430-6745 [email protected] of interest to the membership, including photographs, announcements and notices of IL Norma Jean Fisher, 708-267-4584 Brenda Knapp Mason, Store Manager [email protected] birth, marriages or death, are welcome and 678-402-8601 [email protected] encouraged. To facilitate timely publication IN Don Lee Sinclair, 317-844-6585 and delivery of the newsletter, members are David Sinclair Bouschor, President Emeritus [email protected] requested to submit material for publication 218-724-7761 [email protected] no later than March 15 for the Jan-Mar issue, OK Dennis Lynn Miller, 918-686-5237 June 15 for the April-June issue, September Bradley Sinclair Barker, President Emeritus [email protected] 15 for the July-Sept issue and December 15 919-542-2795 [email protected] SD Brian Carrico, 605-673-2581 for the Oct-Dec issue. Contributions to the Donald L. Sinclair, President Emeritus [email protected] newsletter should be mailed to Ward L. Ginn, 850-835-1903 [email protected] Jr., Editor, 12147 Holly Knoll Circle, Great TX Thomas H. Robinson, 972-816-2816 Falls, VA 22066 or email to: [email protected]. [email protected] OMMISSIONERS C

Change of Address: Please inform the Eastern Region Western Region Membership Secretary promptly when your address changes. Correspondence should be CA Sharon Marie Vice, 530-824-9464 addressed to Clan Sinclair Association (USA), CT Thom Roberts, 978-544-9085 [email protected] [email protected] 12147 Holly Knoll Circle, Great Falls, VA Hal St. Clair, 858-674-4330 22066 or email: [email protected]. FL Sandra Hahn, 941-460-8979 [email protected] [email protected] ©1978-2010 Clan Sinclair Association, Inc. Dino Gay, 530-662-5666 USA, All Rights Reserved. No part of this Marilyn Patch, 727-391-5806 [email protected] publication may be reproduced, stored in a [email protected] retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, Kerry Gay, 530-662-5648 K. Sinclair Franz, 850-526-2023 electronic or mechanical, including [email protected] Julie Goldsworth, 949-552-1055 photocopying and recording, for any personal or commercial use without the written [email protected] Thomas “Ted” Seater, 407-422-5641 permission of Clan Sinclair Association, Inc. [email protected] HI Danford Lee Sinclair, 808-261-9488 USA. Contributed articles remain the [email protected] property of their respective authors who GA Marty Mason, 678-402-8601 individually have the right to publish the [email protected] ID James W. Sinclair, 208-424-5010 same as they see fit. [email protected] MA Thom Roberts, 978-544-9085 [email protected] OR Fred Inkster, 541-440-8938 [email protected] ME Mary Selver, 603-423-5996 [email protected] Steven M. Sinclair, 503-649-7379 [email protected] MD Richard Sinclair, 443-249-0363 [email protected] WA James Mason, 253-350-8612 [email protected] NC Janet Hough, 828-749-2044 WY John A. & Jacqueline J. Carrico, NH Mary Selver, 603-423-5996 307-266-3374 [email protected] [email protected]

In this issue……..

Clan Chief’s Message ...... …………..... Pg 3 Rosslyn Castle and Collegehill House Pg 10 Genealogy Page ...... ……….. Pg 13 President’s Message ...….…………….. Pg 4 Keltic Kwiz Korner …...... Pg 11 Clan Sinclair Members …...... Pg 14 Dr. Ryan Sinclair ……………….…...…… Pg 5 Sinclair DNA Project Update ...... Pg 11 2010 Games Calendar ...... Pg 15 New Officer’s Bio …...... Pg 9 Flowers of the Forest ...... …...... Pg 12 Games/Festival Reports …..…...…… Pg 16

January-March 2010 Page 2 MESSAGE FROM THE CLAN CHIEF…

March 2010

Dear all

It has been the longest and coldest winter since 1962 and much more like the winters I remember as a child in Aberdeenshire. As a result the spring flowers are later than usual this year but perhaps lovelier as a result. The daffodils are just bursting out whereas this time last they were blooming well. It is such a lovely time of the year as the days begin to draw out and there is a bit of warmth in the sun. There is still little growth in the grass so the later lambing which most farmers have moved back to is proving a wise move. While we were bemoaning the snow and ice Vancouver was suffering from the lack of it but still laid on an excellent Olympics and a wonderful spectacle. Well done Canada! Final plans are being put into place for the Gathering and we are looking forward to seeing a good contingent from North America. Come prepared to sing THE GREAT AND MAGNIFICENT YEW and dance as well as enjoy the schedule we have TREE AT ROSSLYN CASTLE planned for you. As usual, it has been a quiet time so by Ward Ginn far as the castle is concerned, but earlier this month some of the pupils at Hillhead School in Wick used A trip to and Castle is not complete Noss Head for a project they were doing and it was without a visit to the grand old yew tree. It is located at great to see the young begin to appreciate and the extreme south end of the castle and can be reached by understand a bit of their history. I have also been able footpaths running under the north bridge span and then to study some of the papers in the National Archives proceeding southward along the base of the castle to its far and again they prove that so much of our history is end. incorrect. We will visit the site of the Battle of I first leaned about the tree reading Frederick J. Altimarlach but with a new perspective on it. Pohl’s book Prince Henry Sinclair in which he takes some At the end of May I have been asked to be the literary license by stating that the prince as a boy could see through windows at one end of the hall ‘...the branches of a Chief of the Greenville Scottish Games in South dark green yew tree against the sky.” Pohl goes on to say Carolina at which H.R.H. The Prince Edward, The Earl that this yew tree is a “mighty giant” seven hundred years of Wessex will be the Distinguished Guest. It will be old. I cannot dispute Pohl’s claim as to the tree’s age as I quite an occasion as it is the first time a Senior Member have seen this tree, and by my observation, it’s diameter of the Royal Family has been to an overseas Scottish and height is several times those I have seen in American Games. Mel, your President, is on the board and is cemeteries which are thought to date back to the responsible for the organising a large part of it. He has revolution. As it is reputed to be quite old, tradition has it worked extra hard this year. that wood from Rosslyn’s yew tree was used in ancient times to make archers’ bows. Looking forward to seeing some of you soon. While a leisurely walk along the pathway at the base of the castle provides an awesome view of the modern part of the castle standing over the north-east end of the vaults, readers are cautioned that the pathways are uneven and can be quite slippery and dangerous. The yew tree is worth a visit, but not at the expense of breaking a leg!

Page 3 January-March 2010 Glades, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. Invitations will be sent via PRESIDENT’S e-mail or snail mail for those who do not have a listed e- MESSAGE mail address. If you have an e-mail address and do not receive an e-mail from me, you may need to update your e-

mail address in our data base. April 16, 2010 Greetings! The Western Region’s increased Games activities The weather is warming and have allowed us to create a new position for the the Games are in full swing Northwestern area. Fred Inkster is appointed as we welcome another year Northwestern Area Commissioner for Clan Sinclair of fellowship and gathering Association (USA). Fred will still report to Donald M. Sinclair, Western Region Vice President, but will with like minded people. As I mentioned in the previous coordinate activities in the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, issue of the Yours Aye, we Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Congratulations, Fred, and keep up the good work (see Fred’s bio and photo will be having our Clan Sinclair Association (USA) Annual General Meeting in this issue). (AGM) in Greenville, SC, at the Greenville Games. Our A special thanks to Sindy Barker, AJ Ginn, Brenda Mason, and Mary Selver as they transition to their new Chief, the Rt Honorable The Earl of , Malcolm Sinclair, will be the honored guest. Please plan to attend duties. Brenda Mason, Clan Store Manager, has some and support our Chief. Rory Sinclair, President of Clan great ideas for the Clan Store. Over the coming months there will be new items. Your comments should be sent Sinclair Canada, our friend from the north, will join us once again. Thanks, Rory, for your support. directly to Brenda (see separate article in this issue). Mark your calendar for Memorial Day weekend, May As of this writing, there were still a few seats available for the 2010 Gathering. This promises to be a 28-29. The Greenville Games official activities will begin on Friday evening, May 28 with a high-energy downtown wonderful time for our cousins to gather. Please remember parade beginning at 6:00pm. Clan Sinclair will be the lead to encourage other relatives to become a part of our most clan in the parade. After the parade you may want to attend noble family association by joining Clan Sinclair the “Gathering of the Clans” Reception at the Hilton Hotel, Association (USA). As always, it is good to be of service the Games host hotel. See the next paragraph for to our association. I hope to see many of you this year and information regarding tickets to the “Gathering of the don’t forget, you can always reach me by phone (864-268- 3550), fax (864-322-5646), or e-mail Clans” Reception. Saturday’s Games, May 29, will be at Furman University. We will have a special guest on the ([email protected]). Please stay in touch and let stage for opening ceremonies, none other than HRH me know anything that I can do to assist you and to help make our Clan Association the best it can be. Prince Edward, , the youngest son of the Queen. This will be the first time a Royal has attended a Scottish Games outside of Scotland. Best aye, A number of cousins have already made reservations. Mel What is particularly special for Clan Sinclair will be the clan dinner on Saturday evening at the Hilton Hotel beginning with a cash bar at 6:30 and dinner at 7:30. The cost is $46.50 per person with a price of $17.00 for children 12 and under. The dinner will be buffet style and include CLAN SINCLAIR USA SPONSORS the main course selections of breaded chicken breast January-March 2010 stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese and grilled Atlantic salmon with lemon dill sauce (why not have both!). The

Hilton Hotel is the official host hotel for the Games and they are offering special room rates for Clan members. The Bradley Sinclair Barker room reservation number is 1-864-232-4747 or you can go Deborah A. Fexis online to make hotel reservations at Hilton Greenville. I R. Bruce Hammatt, Jr. have the link for online reservations on my family website Ann R. Petersen at: http://www.clansinclairsc.org. Click on the link near the Thomas H. Robinson top of the page to go to the AGM page. I also have a James Walter Sinclair “Patron Form” on my website that can be downloaded and Charles Merrell St. Clair used to purchase tickets for the “Gathering of the Clans” Marcia A. Stephens Reception on Friday evening. For those who do not have Thank You access to the internet and are interested in attending, please contact Sindy Barker, Clan Sinclair Association Secretary/ For Your Support Treasurer. She can be reached by phone at 919-542-2795, e-mail at [email protected] or by mail at 209 The

January-March 2010 Page 4

Dr. Ryan Sinclair Works to Make World’s Fresh Water Supply Safe

Clan Sinclair member Nancy Sinclair is justly proud of her son, Dr. Ryan Sinclair who is a fresh water expert and researcher for Loma Linda University (LLU) in Loma Linda, California. Dr. Sinclair and a team of public health students from LLU visited Haiti for a two week stay following the devastating earthquake there in January. Pictured second from the left in the accompanying photo is Dr. Sinclair along with some of the graduate students he is mentoring at LLU. LLU is a Seventh Day Adventist institution, and the only hospital left standing and undamaged in the earthquake area was a SDA hospital. Many students and faculty from the LLU medical school went to Haiti to Homeland Security and EPA in their assessment of augment the hospital’s outreach services to the devastated possible terrorism attempts to both the fresh water supply community. Sinclair and his team’s mission was to assess and sewer systems in this country. He has done much the supply of fresh water and to ensure its safety. work in Ethiopia and Cambodia over the years and studied Ryan Sinclair has a Ph.D. in fresh water engineering health situations in India. He also developed a solar water and a Masters of Public Health degree in International sterilization program in the jungle of Cambodia, reducing Public Health. He was instrumental in building a few significantly the incidence of infant and childhood diarrhea years ago a water research lab at the University of Arizona and death. Presently, Dr. Sinclair’s expertise is being (UA). Recently he obtained a grant from UA to study sought by the UA to study waste disposal in the Amazon. type A pathogens in fresh water for the Department of STAIRWAY TO TREASURE OR NOT?

The story of a ghost guarding buried treasure in the vaults of Rosslyn Castle is legendary. The story was first mentioned by Slezer in his “Theatrum Scotiae” (1693) where he stated, “A great treasure, we are told, amounting to some millions, lies buried in one of the vaults. It is under the guardianship of a lady of the ancient house of Sr. Clair, who, not very faithful to her trust, has been in a dormant state. Awakened, however, by the sound of a trumpet, which must be heard in one of the lower apartments, she is to make her appearance and to point out where the treasure lies.” In the summer of 2000, I was one of about 200 clansmen who visited Rosslyn Castle during the clan’s first international gathering. We were given free reign to visit any part of the castle we desired, including its vaults. As I explored the dark, damp, and close quarters of the vaults’ first level, I noticed in a small, cramped compartment a stairway which abruptly ended, seemingly blocked at ceiling level with debris and backfill. I took a photo of the stairway (see photo), wondering where it led. In my imagination, I fleetingly conjured up the vision of the stairway leading to a vault filed with a king’s ransom of gold, silver and jewels. But I was to learn only recently from the that this stairway leads from the first level basement and emerges to the south of the existing door to the castle. It was discovered in the 1990s when a small hole to the south of the front door became enlarged due to erosion which, in turn, caused a sudden and significant earth fall that revealed the staircase itself. The cavity was excavated and then filed in at the courtyard level. This is the truth of the matter, and sorry - no treasure or ghost to end this story. … the editor

Page 5 January-March 2010 (Continued from page 1) which she was doing, and not being very attentive, set fire to those days. James I bought 45,100 in 1434 for £8 10 1d. the bed, whereat the fire rose and burnt the bed, and then (Exchequer Rolls, IV, 618) passed to the ceiling of the great chamber in which the There are ruins on the steep bank below the great princess was, whereat she with all that were within the ‘Dungeon’ to the north-west, and part of an arched roof can be dungeon were compelled to fly. The princess's chaplain, seeing seen in two places. The are probably the remains of this and remembering all his master’s writings, passed to the two towers-’Robin Hood’ and ‘Little John’- which Sir William head of the dungeon where they were, and threw out four great St Clair allowed gypsies to live in about 1559, when they came trunks. The news of the fire coming to the prince’s ears, to act their plays in the neighbourhood. through the lamentable cries of the ladies and gentlewomen In this massive, strange and picturesque castle upon and the sight thereof coming to his view in the place where he which so much time, skill and money was spent, Sir Henry and stood to wit upon the College Hill, he was sorry for nothing son, and his grandson Sir William appear to have lived in but the loss of his charters and other rights. But when the almost regal magnificence. Of Sir William, the third Prince chaplain who had saved himself by coming down the bellrope and founder of the Chapel, it is recorded that ‘in his house, he tied to a beam, declared how his charters and writs were all was royally served in gold and silver vessels, in the most saved, he became cheerful and went to re-comfort his princess princely manner, for the Lord Dirltone was Master of his and the ladies, desiring them to put away all sorrow, and household, Lord Borthwick his cup-bearer, and Lord Fleming rewarding his chaplain very richly, yet all this stayed him not his carver’ and there were noble deputies to take their places from the building of the College, neither his liberality to the when they were absent-the Lairds of Drumelzier, Calder, and poor, but was more liberal to them than before, applying the Drumlanrig. ‘He had his halls and chambers richly hung with safety of his charters and writings to God’s particular embroidered hangings. His princess, Lady Elizabeth Douglas, providence.’ (Father Hay) The damage done by the fire was was held in great reverence, both for her birth and for the high repaired, and eight years later (1455) there are records of a estate she was in, being served by seventy-five gentlewomen prisoner being confined in the castle– Sir William Hamilton of of whom fifty-three were the daughters of noblemen, and all of Cadyou, for joining in the rebellion of James, Earl of Douglas, them attired in silk and velvet adorned with chains of gold and against James II. There is no doubt that many other prisoners other jewels. When travelling from Rosslyn to the family were confined in these dungeons over the period of time. mansion in -at the foot of Blackfriars Wynd– she The castle was attacked and set on fire again in 1544 was attended by two hundred gentlemen on horseback and, if when Henry VIII was having difficulties with Scotland over after nightfall, by eighty other persons bearing torches. the proposed marriage, ‘the ,’ as it was called, Indeed, none matched her in the country save the Queen’s between the Prince of Wales (Edward VI) and Mary, the child majesty.’ (Hay, Vol.II, p.234) It is further recorded that in the Queen of Scots, his great niece. The Earl of Hertford invaded courtyard were six recesses in which stood the guard horses, Scotland, obeying Henry’s instructions ‘to put to fire and saddled and bridled and ready to convey messages to and from sword.’ He landed at Granton, and before attacking and the King. burning Rosslyn, he set fire to Edinburgh, Leith and In the course of history, it often happens that the status Craigmillar Castle. Edinburgh burned for three days and and wealth of a family can rise and decline, and this happened nights and the glow was seen all along the and Lothian to the St Clairs: coasts, impressing upon the Scots what it meant to be at the mercy of the King of . Later Jedburgh was burned, No more in Rosslyn’s stately halls and Melrose destroyed, and Hertford, by then Duke of The joyous feast is spread, Someset, destroyed the Abbey of Holyrood as well. Mute rests the harp on Rosslyn’s walls, Fortunately during this holocaust the Chapel was spared and Its strings are damp and dead. meanwhile Rosslyn Castle was once again rebuilt. In 1580, Sir Edward St Clair gave his estate to successor, The spritely dance of prowest chiefs, Sir William St Clair of Pentland. Sir William built the vaults And tissued dames is o’er, and the great turnpike of Rosslyn (the large stone staircase 4 Yea, all the pomp of feudal times, feet wide, leading up from the basement through various In Rosslyn is no more. storeys of the castle). In addition, he built one of the arches of the drawbridge and a fine house near the mill, neither of which Gillespie. now exist. Other work carried out by him was the construction of the tower of the dungeon, where the clock was kept, with It all began with a mysterious warning and fire: ‘About the date 1586, and also the great hall adjoining the clock this time (1447) a year after the founding of the Chapel, tower. Edward Saintclar of Draidon, coming with four greyhounds Because of rising expenses, the rebuilding of the castle and some ratches (slow hounds to start game) to hunt with the with the numerous extensions, the losses incurred through prince, met a company of rats, and among them an old blind loyal attachment to the Royal cause forced Sir William to sell one with a straw in its mouth, led by the rest, whereat he part of his estates-Herbertshire in Stirlingshire, Morton, and greatly marvelled, not thinking what should follow: but within Morton Hall. His son, also called Sir William, was as a result four days after, to wit, upon the feast of St Leonard (November of this able to continue his father’s work and finished building 6, 1447), the princess, who took great delight in little dogs, over the vaults up to the level of the courtyard; his initials can caused one of the gentlewomen to go under the bed with a be seen over the door at the present entrance to the castle, lighted candle to bring forth one of them that had young yelps, ‘S.W.S. (Sir William St Clair) 1622.’ Particular notice should

January-March 2010 Page 6 be taken of the dining room ceiling; it is made of fine Flanders gold rings, crimson satin, purple velvet, ostrich ornamental plaster, divided into nine panels, and richly feathers, and mantles of marten fur and silver seal, and she decorated with hunting and hawking scenes and floral clusters. also had a new ship built for herself at Leith in 1435, costing The district was a popular one for royal sports, and Scottish £25 18 3d. (James I, Balfour Melville, pp.249, 263, 278) kings often hunted on the surrounding hills and moors; Chivalry in the earlier phases of our history was not Pentland itself being a hunting centre. A former Sir William, considered a moral extravagance, but rather the sole Baron of Rosslyn, Pentland and Pentland Moor, was Grand justification for strength and power. Students, poets and Master Hunter of Scotland; he was knighted by Alexander II painters stayed at Rosslyn, and the oaken hall and tapestried for his military services, he fought under Alexander III against rooms resounded to the music played on lute and harpsichord. Haakon, King of Norway, in the , 1263, and he ‘Love and laughter held high carnival and fair maidens were died about 1300. His son, another Sir William took part at the wooed and won by valiant squire and knight; conflicting in Scotland’s War of Independence. emotions of love and duty not infrequently playing a decisive The central panel of the ceiling has three St Clair arms-the part in romantic and tragic amours.’ (Father Hay). engrailed cross, supporters; dexter a mermaid with comb in one hand, and a bunch of seaweed in the other, sinister a And in the lofty Arched hall griffin, a crest and a dove. Motto ‘Credo’ 1622. This was the Was spread the gorgeous festival, Sir William who was buried in the Chapel on the day of the Their clanging bowls, old warriors quaffed, on September 3, 1650, the last Knight to be Loudly they spoke and loudly laughed; buried in his armour. Whispered young Knights in tones more mild, Sir William’s son, Sir John, tried unsuccessfully to resist To ladies fair and ladies smiled. the attack on the castle by Cromwell’s troops under General Round goes the flasks of ruddy wine Monk in 1650, but he was captured and sent as a prisoner to From Bordeaux. Orleans, or the Rhine, Tynemouth Castle, only returning to Rosslyn just before his Their tasks the busy servers ply, death in 1690. Sadly, rare literary and historical treasures And all is mirth and revelry. were destroyed and the only part of the building that escaped Sir Walter Scott the barrage of four pieces of ordnance, a mortar piece and the assault of 600 troopers, is the part still standing today; the north-east and west sides were battered down, and the castle On entering the castle by the bridge, we can see the sacked. This happened yet again during the life of Sir James strength of the former stronghold and the difficulty of St. Clair, Father Hay’s stepfather, for, at 10 o’clock at night on attacking it. It was built for security and protection in these December 11, 1688, a mob from Edinburgh accompanied by hard times; one must remember that those were the days in some of Sir James’ tenants, and some of the villagers of Scotland when nationalism was a vital force and brave men Roslin, entered and damaged the Chapel; their object was to fought and died for that freedom which they counted dearer destroy the furniture and vestments, which were regarded as than life itself. The walls of the castle were 9 feet thick and popish and idolatrous, for this was the time after William of the total length of about 200 feet while the width was 90 feet, Orange landed in England, and prior to the final establishment and there are several places where one can see that it has been of Presbyterianism in Scotland. Lord Byron wrote: literally hewn out of the living rock. The modern part of the 1662 building is inhabited, and visitors can gain admission to Oh, Roslin! Time, war, flood and fire the two lower tiers of vaults by passing through a doorway in Have made your glories star by star expire, the garden wall. In front of the entrance to these vaults, called Chaos of ruins! Who shall trace the void, the ‘The Old Guardrooms,’ from the garden and near the base O’er the dim fragments, cast a lunar light, of the clock tower, stands a very old yew tree of enormous And say ‘Here was or is’ where all is doubly size, that is thought to have been planted about the time the night. castle was built, at the beginning of the 14th century. Tradition says that the wood from the tree was used for the Alas! Thy lofty castle! And Alas! archers’ bows. It may give some indication of the poor Thy trebly hundred triumphs! And the day condition of Scottish timber at the time, that the parliament of When Sinclair made the dagger’s edge surpass James I in 1426 passed a law that merchants trading overseas The conqueror’s sword in bearing fame away. were to bring home from each voyage as much harness and armour and spear-shafts and bow-shafts as they could carry. A hundred years later (1788), Grose described the castle In addition, the castle gardens were famed for their as ‘haggard and utterly dilapidated-a mere wreck of a great strawberries in 1815 (The Battle of Waterloo), and many pile riding on a little sea of forest, and a rueful apology for the people used to come out from Edinburgh to pick them. once grand fabric whose name of Rosslyn Castle is so The kitchen, bakehouse and dungeons are situated in intimately associated with melody and song’ (Grant’s Old and three storeys below the level of the courtyard, under the new Edinburgh, Vol. III, p.347). Even in the earlier centuries present living quarters. The bottom floor consists of the of the castle’s existence when life in the north was hard and kitchen, with a very large fireplace and a small window, the austere, Scotland had a culture and refinement of its own. The ‘great turnpike’ and four cellars or dungeons, only one of fine arts were encouraged, and there was the splendor of feudal which has a fireplace. The floor above has the bakehouse and pageantry. From the Exhequer Rolls, we know the luxury of a large oven; the two floors are connected by the staircase, and the court of James I; after his death his queen bought from with the garden by means of the passage on the second floor,

Page 7 January-March 2010 Rosslyn Castle Ground Plan and Adjoining Area

Ground Plan of Rosslyn Castle the entrance to which is near the yew tree. opposite the door of the first compartment to the left is a built- At the bottom of the ‘great turnpike’ on the right-hand up doorway which leads to the vaults which are believed to be side between the stair and the kitchen is a doorway which under the courtyard. Here legend has it, is a dungeon called leads down a few steps under the stair, how far down it is ’Little Ease,’ a pit into which prisoners were let down on impossible to say, as it was filled in years ago. It is thought ropes. Above the third floor is the great hall, partly forming that it may have led to vaults below, for the remains of strong the kitchen of the modern dwelling; the other part contains a iron hinges for a heavy door are visible; possibly it could have handsome moulded fireplace over which are the initials of Sir been some sort of recess, many of which would hold the open William St Clair and his wife Jean Edmiston, with the date iron lamp used with a rush wick-the Scottish crusie lamp, for it 1597. There is also a small recess, probably used for washing goes without saying that little daylight penetrated these old glasses and cleaning silver. The entrance to the clocktower is buildings. through a doorway with gothic moulding. All the At the foot of the ‘great turnpike’ is an opening or ‘hatch’ compartments to the two upper floors have eyelet or shot-holes in the roof, obviously a lift or joist from the kitchen and while in the lower floor the original window bars both vertical bakehouse to the great hall above, or the anteroom adjoining it. and horizontal are interlaced in the usual Scottish fashion to In the kitchen and also the bakehouse, there is a small hole 8 give additional strength and security. inches or 9 inches square, almost certainly used as a speaking In 1983, following a six year programme of restoration, tube communicating with the anteroom of the great hall. The the building welcomed its first Landmark Trust visitors. They drainage was very primitive; examples of this are seen in the are able to rent the castle for a holiday, and enjoy the history south-east side of the kitchen and bakehouse, while in the and romance of a remarkable place. window jambs of both apartments, a broken hole shows how the drainage came out through the body of the wall and The Five Different Periods at which the Castle was Built emptied itself through an opening cut in the rock outside. There are several such outlets seen in various places around (1) 1304 approx.—Lantern, Lamp or Peel Tower at the north- the castle. east corner. The Dutch contractor, Peter Bruschi, who brought the (2) 1390 approx.—The Keep or Great Dungeon first public gravitation supply to the city of Edinburgh from (3) 1417-1450—The connecting portion between (1) and (2) above along the north-west, north and north-east Tod’s Well, Comiston, in 1676, introduced water in lead pipes sides. to the inner court and lower vaults of Rosslyn Castle in the (4) 1582-1597—The vaults up to the courtyard level, the tower at time of Sir James St Clair who was made a Burgess of the south corner and the great hall. Edinburgh by Provost Currie in 1673, and was responsible for (5) 1622—The modern part now standing over the north-east end of obtaining Bruschi’s services for the city. (Genealogy, p. 106 the vaults. and Call of the Pentlands, chapter XIII). To return to the castle, the oven in the bakehouse is 8 feet Editor’s Note: The Earl of Rosslyn has kindly granted the editor long by 7 feet high, with a runway cut for the grease from the permission to publish the foregoing article which is an extract from dripping roasting jacks and spits. one chapter of his late father’s guide book for the chapel entitled ‘Rosslyn-It’s Chapel, Castle and Scenic Lore.’ The third floor is entered only from the house above;

January-March 2010 Page 8 Fred Inkster Appointed to New Position of Northwestern Area Commissioner

Clan Sinclair USA’s President, Mel Sinclair, and Western Region Vice President have agreed to a restructuring of the Western Region to transfer the oversight function of clan activities of certain states to Fred Inkster. Fred’s new title will be Northwestern Area Commissioner, and the states under his jurisdiction are Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. In his new capacity as an area commissioner, Fred will still be Commissioner for Oregon. By way of introduction, Fred (Frederic John Inkster) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on April 24, 1944. His family moved to the United States in 1947, settled in Fox River Grove, Illinois for seven years and then moved to Southern California. Fred attended grade and high school in west Los Angeles, and became involved with the Order of DeMolay as his dad was a Mason. He went through the ranks and became Master Counselor of the Santa Monica Chapter 11, but did not continue on into the Masonic order. After college, Fred married his first wife, moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and had two children. He later moved to Spokane, Washington and then to the Oregon coast. Fred’s wife died in 2005, and he moved to Roseburg, Oregon where he met and married his current wife. The couple have five children and five grand children. Fred became involved in Scottish events in Oregon in 2000, joining Clan Sinclair in 2002. While other family members are connected to , he began researching his heritage through the family genealogist who lived in Ontario, Canada where a great number of the Inkster family settled after World War I. The Inkster family name goes back to 490 when its name was pronounced Ingvar, and I have found a direct line to a Viking king by that name. Most of the Inkster family still in Scotland is in the Hebrides. My mother’s side of the family was Kinghorn. The family Castle was located in the town of the same name, but like so many buildings during the Reformation, it was mostly destroyed, basically only the Kinghorn Church remains today and that dates back to 1774, however the current Laird of Kinghorn has offices in Glamis Castle. Fred has been a Clan Sinclair Commissioner for Oregon since 2007, and in addition to hosting clan tents at various games and festivals, his involvement in the Scottish community takes many forms. As an effective speaker who has no problems addressing a large crowd, Fred acts as master of ceremonies at many events, including for example, the Scottish New Year Music Festival in Eugene in early January and the Douglas County Scottish Society’s Robert Burns Dinner later in the month. His speaking engagements also involve presenting The Immortal Memory to celebrate the life and works of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. In late January, Fred presented The Immoral Memory at the Robert Burns Dinners sponsored by the Oregon Scottish Society and the Eugene Scottish Festival. He also is Vice Commander of the Northwest Scots Color Guard, and in that capacity in February, he led his honor guard group in presenting the colors at the Coastal Celtic Society’s Robert Burns Dinner and the Glencoe Memorial Observance. WHISKY CORNER Scotland at nearly 17 feet, claimed by the company to produce an extremely light taste. The quickest and easiest way by motor car to It is said that upon first tasting Glenmorangie, film reach Wick or in Caithness is to take star Brigitte Bardot purchased twenty cases of the the A9 out of Inverness. Just before passing whisky. Today, the whisky is available in Original (10 over the Dornoch Firth, the northbound years), 18 and 25 year old bottlings, special cask traveler will pass close to the city of Tain with bottlings, cask finishes, extra matured bottlings and a its world famous Glenmorangie Distillery. range of special edition bottlings. Founded in 1843, the Glenmorangie Distillery Glenmorangie 10 year old Original Single Malt is is one of Scotland’s largest, producing the best by far the distillery’s most popular whisky, and it is selling Scotch in Scotland since 1983. Over highly rated, receiving a 93 point rating from The Malt half the distillery’s annual production of 10 Advocate and a 94 point rating in Jim Murray’s million bottles is sold in the United Kingdom. “Whisky Bible.” This malt is “delicate yet assertive” Glenmorangie is said to mean “the glen with a complex finish. It is one of my favorites. of tranquility,” and the existing distillery had Glenmorangie single malts are widely sold in the United its origins as a brewery. The stills at States and are well worth trying. Be sure to drink Glenmorangie are unique inasmuch as they responsibly and do not mix alcohol consumption and are quite small in size, but the distillery boasts driving. And also remember, you have to be at least 21 having the tallest columns of any stills in years of age to legally drink in the US. ...the Editor

Page 9 January-March 2010 ROSSLYN CASTLE AND The present Earl and Countess of Rosslyn have for many years been instrumental in the ongoing preservation of Rosslyn Chapel which receives COLLEGEHILL funds through a special trust established in 1996. Other properties on the HOUSE- Rosslyn estate, namely Rosslyn Castle and Collegehill House, a former inn, are being preserved through The Landmark Trust which lets these two TO LET BY landmarks to the public. THE LANDMARK TRUST Rosslyn Castle is perched on a rock promontory high above a wooded valley a hundred yards or so downhill from Rosslyn Chapel. To Sinclairs visiting this part of the world, the castle is perhaps the more appealing of the two properties as it is the home of their ancient ancestors. To live and sleep in such a place is a Sinclair romanticist’s life-long dream fulfilled. With five single beds and one double in four separate bedrooms, the castle will accommodate a party of 7 people. Adding to this a fully functional kitchen, every board-and-room need can be accommodated. The castle can be rented throughout the year for as few as 4 to as many as 15 days. And considering the history-steeped ambiance of the place, the rental rates are better than competitive, especially for Sinclairs. For those with a little bit of poet, novelist or artist in them, Collegehill House, the former inn located next to the chapel, is the perfect place to stay on your visit as it was here that the likes of Boswell, Dr. Johnson, Robbie Burns, J.M.W. Turner, the Wordsworths and even found hospitality. And as a constant reminder of where you are, the view of the chapel next door is ever present through the window of the drawing room. To learn more about the rental of the castle and the former inn, available dates and specific rates, please visit The Landmark Trust’s web site at http:// bookings.landmarktrust.org.uk. From the menu on the left of the page, click on “Our Buildings” which takes you to a page titled “Landmark Holidays.” Scroll down the right hand menu to find detailed information about renting the two properties. Remember, monies from rental income of the Castle and Collegehill House will be used in their maintenance to ensure the properties’ preservation for future generations.

THE SCOTSMAN FROM THURSO - USA’S ONLY FOREIGN BORN PRESIDENT

Association member, Alice Miller, brings to the attention of the editor a newspaper arti- cle entitled “The Forgotten Thurso Lad Who became US President.” The article interest- ingly notes that St. Clair was America’s first and only foreign born president. But how can this be? St. Clair’s name is conspicuous in its absence in the long list of US presi- dents beginning with George Washington. Also, there is this thing about being foreign born. Section 1(4) of Article II of the US Constitution provides that “No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States , at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President;..” So, how can all of this be explained? To find the right answers, we have to step back to the year 1774 to the convening of what would become known as the Continental Congress under an alliance between the colonies called the Articles of Association. The Continental Congress had six presidents between the years 1771 and 1779, the first being Peyton Randolf and the last being John Jay. Under the Articles of Association, the delegates endeavored to craft the first federal constitution which was finally ratified in 1781 as the Articles of Confederation. As a result, the Continental Congress ceased to exist, and the United States of America in Congress Assembled became the governing body with ten men holding the office of President of the United States in Congress Assembled (or more simply President of the United States). Arthur St. Clair was the 9th President, serving from February 2 to October 29, 1787. But the Continental Congress was a unicameral body vested with all of the powers of government- legislative, judicial, and executive. Recognizing the gross inadequacy of all these powers being vested in one body, President Arthur St. Clair and his 1787 Congress passed a resolution to hold a convention in Philadelphia to “render the federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of Government and the preservation of the Union.” From the Phila- delphia Convention came an innovative new plan called the Constitution of 1787 that governs the United States of America to this day.

January-March 2010 Page 10 Keltic Kwiz Korner which to establish the Arcani's plan. Thus the frontier by Annette Hixenbaugh scouts would share in the loot taken by the Picts and Caledones from the Romans. Below I provide answers to the questions I raised in the October-December 2009 issue of Yours Aye. NEW QUESTIONS:

Question: Which Viking Cheiftain was McBeth's cousin. 1. Name at least four tribes that Caesar encountered in the ANSWER: Thorofin the Mighty is claimed to have been British Isles when he landed there in 55 B.C. MacBeth's cousin. Since he had no designs on the throne of Scotland, he took no action against McBeth when Macbeth 2. Who introduced "forest law" into England? seized the throne. 3. Give the names of Mary Queen of Scots "Four Maries." Question: Who was 's first wife and the mother of Marjorie Bruce. ANSWER: Isabel of Mar 4. Who is the female patron Saint of Ireland? daughter of Donald . was Bruce's first wife, and mother of Marjorie Bruce. 5. Why can't Prince William be invested as "Prince of

Wales"? Question: Name Mary Queen of Scots' mother-in-law? ANSWER: The mother of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, was the ambitious Margaret Douglas, wife of Matthew fourth Earl of Lennox, and daughter of Margaret Tudor (widow of James IV) and wife of Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus. Hence the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Queen of Scots had married her cousin! SINCLAIR PROJECT UPDATE - NEW DNA AVENUE NOW AVAILABLE- Question: Oliver St. Clair was a favorite of which Scottish King? ANSWER: Sinclair was a favorite of King James V In the intriguing field of genetic DNA there are three basic of Scotland. James unfortunately put Oliver in command of types of testing: YDNA (direct male lineage, father to son) the Scottish army at the . The which was the primary type which launched our project, and command was poorly organized and morale low. The Scots for obvious reasons. The varied tests in this area have lost and when the King heard of the English rout of the greatly increased over the years since the project began, Scots James cried out, "Oh tane, Oliver, Oh tane" (flee). giving the participants deeper insight into both origins and Sinclair was killed during the battle. relationships.

Question: Give three reasons why the Scottish Picts were so The next type of tests made available was successful in their fight against Roman occupation? mitochondrial. This opened the door for both men and ANSWER: women to trace their direct female lineage and connect with others who matched. This type of testing utilizes both high a. They tried to avoid a pitched battle with the Romans, and low resolutions to make these matches. realizing Rome's superior military strength resources A third basic area of testing is autosomal. This field attempts to connect both male and female lines. Due to the and training. So they excelled in a guerilla warfare, hit inability of the autosomal DNA tests in the past to reveal and run tactics which had the element of surprise against results beyond two to three generations, we have been which the Romans were not always prepared. reluctant to embrace it as a viable vehicle for further research for the Sinclair DNA project. I have long hoped for b. They raided Roman camps and supply lines in winter advances in autosomal testing because I felt that this avenue to make up for the shortfalls of summer raiding. could prove helpful in proving or dispelling the stories we have all heard concerning our ancient connections to other c. They made use of union with the Caledones against families. Family Tree DNA now feels that advances in the Romans and use of the "Arcani,” those in the autosomal tests are taking us deeper into the past, and have Roman army induced "to betray to the savages what was made these tests available to our members. Obviously we are going on among us". [ Arcani is clearly a fear-word for of varied cadet branches, so this test could be the missing 'secret service'] Some of the "frontier scouts" or link to tie down which families connect. "exploratores" stationed in advance of the Roman Wall would have the necessary knowledge of the discontent Since this info is not yet on the site at http:// in the ordinary soldiery, the avarice of the Roman stclairresearch.com, for more information, please contact command, the incompetence of the civil government and Steve at [email protected].

the distractions of the rebellious continent to provide the Stan alliance of tribes with the necessary information on

Page 11 January-March 2010 war and was often recognized for catching excessive FLOWERS OF THE FOREST billings by defense contractors. Tom also ran a tax accounting business, owned rental properties and served Howard E. Swain, Jr. as treasurer of the South Montebello Irrigation District. 1926-2009 He became district manager after his 40 year auditing career and retired at the age of 89. His son, Brian, Howard Eugene Swain, Jr. passed away succeeded him as manager. after a courageous battle with cancer with Tom was married for 65 years to Patricia Sinclair, his loving family at his side. He was born who passed away in 2008. He was a compelling in Exeter, New Hampshire to Howard storyteller who inspired others to follow his path to Eugene and Bessie (Conner) Swain. He success. He joined the Clan Sinclair Association, Inc., grew up in Exeter and graduated from Exeter High USA in 2005. He was buried in the Rose Hills School. He was a resident of Candia since 1955. He Cemetery in Whittier with military honors and Scottish was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic by R.G. bagpipes playing. Watkins and Sons Construction Company, Amesbury, Massachusetts for more than 30 years. Excepts above are from his obituary published in The He served in the U.S. Army during World War II Desert Sun on January 21, 2010. in the 78th Division, 309th Regiment. He was a 50 plus year member of the Star of the East Lodge in Exeter, ********************************************* also holding memberships in Davenport Council, Washington Chapter, and DeWitt-Clinton Commander. Paul James St. Clair Howard joined the Clan Sinclair Association, Inc., 1916-2010 USA in 1993. He played bagpipes in the Granite State Highlanders for many years. He was a dedicated Paul James St. Clair passed away husband and father, an avid hiker and outdoorsman, and peacefully in Santa Barbara, thoroughly enjoyed New Hampshire's forest and California with his children at his mountains. Family members include his wife of 54 side. He was 94. Halleluiah … years, Marguerite (Brown) Swain of Candia; a daughter, once again joined with his Deborah Fexis of Nashua; a sister, Mary Bower of beloved Bette, his wife of 70 Norfolk, Connecticut; and two nephews, a niece and years!! He was an incredible loving Father, devoted several cousins. Husband, Companion, Friend, Grandfather, Advisor and Role Model for all of us over the years. Excerpts above are from his obituary published in the He was a veteran of the United States Navy, Union Leader on October 1, 2009. serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Paul was employed with the US Corps of Engineers ********************************************* prior to moving to San Bruno in 1952 to accept a job with the US Postal Service in San Francisco. He retired Thomas Alexander Sinclair in 1971 as its Western Regional Compensation 1918-2010 Manager. He was a parishioner of St. Robert's Church for 50 years. He coached basketball for St. Bruno's/ St. Tom Sinclair was a man who embodied Robert's School for many years, mentoring the youth of success at every level and by every the city. He was active in the St. Vincent De Paul definition. He was born in San Diego, Society, SIRS and worked as a Travelers Aid at the SF California and attended Whittier High Airport. He loved sports and harbored particular School and Southwestern University in passions for golf and the 49ers. He joined the Clan Los Angeles. He worked as a butcher to Sinclair Association, Inc., USA in 1996. support his family. Paul is survived by his children; Michael James St. Tom attained the rank of lieutenant commander as Clair of Marco Island, Florida, Richard Paul St. Clair of a World War II Navy fighter pilot. He became a war Santa Barbara, Gregory Emerson St. Clair of Sun Valley hero when his plane was hit after bombing a Japanese and Diane St. Clair Chandler of Santa Barbara, munitions train. He and his wingman were wounded, California; 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. but Tom safely ditched his plane in the ocean and dodged gunfire until a U.S. submarine rescued them. Excepts above are from his obituary published in the He received a Purple Heart, Navy Air Medal and San Jose Mercury News on March 12, 2010. Presidential Unit Citation. He became a Defense Department auditor after the

January-March 2010 Page 12 GENEALOGY PAGE known to posterity as William the Conquerer. In the “condensed” version, there is a goodly index in ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the back of the book! I first looked for my Forrester family - NEVER BELIEVE AN INDEX finding one person mentioned by that surname, then I looked “Be a Doubting Thomas” for any St. Clair, St. Clare or St. Clere, as the Sinclair family by Annette Hixenbaugh was known in the 11th century. There was no individual by any variation of that surname listed in the index. Yet I knew Some people joke that a genealogist is a person who “reads a that at least one or two of this family had come to England at book from BACK TO FRONT!” We who do genealogical the at the time of the Conquest in 1066, and since that was research laugh, but that statement is TRUE. We turn first to 11 years earlier, certainly more members must have followed the Index in the back of the book to see if our ancestor/ their kinsmen to England. kinsman is mentioned. Fortunately, I was able to cross-reference the deficient But although Indices are very helpful. They are index by going to our Tulsa Genealogy Center. They have a sometimes “lacking”. And I would caution you, NEVER, most comprehensive index of the families listed in the NEVER, BELIEVE AN INDEX! If you put your entire faith families listed in the Domesday, even many of the Anglo in an index, you may, many times be terribly disappointed if Saxon families. There were at least FOUR St. Clares listed you don’t find the person (s) for whom you are searching. in this comprehensive index! Why weren’t they listed in the Either I march too much to that “tune of a different “condensed, one-volume” version? drummer”, or expect too much of authors, I’m convinced In a recent bio of King James IV of Scotland, I found that by the time most writers or writers’ helpers get to the the same problem with the index: Sir Duncan Forrester was index, they suffer a loss of logic. This sounds quite brazen Comptroller of this king’s household, and also a personal coming from one who has NEVER published a book But friend. But although Sir Duncan was mentioned in the ladies and gentlemen, I’ve looked in many, many indices, TEXT of this book, he was NOT mentioned in the INDEX. some written by people very educated, the family And when mentioned in the text, his name is spelled Forster. genealogist, or some esteemed Academic, and am still even It is NOT spelled this way in the official records of Scotland. more convinced of this “loss of logic” with each passing day. As I mentioned in an earlier paragraph about that Some authors even decide not to trouble themselves with an “different Drummer”, I believe that every person, place or index. thing should be listed in an index. Now that may throw an An example of this was in a definitive book on the undue burden on the author of a publication. But at least it Jacobites in Bonnie Price Charlie’s army. The book, wouldn’t leave the researcher shaking his head, saying, “I BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE’S MUSTER ROLL, is, as could have sworn “so and so” was in Scotland at that time, titled, a comprehensive listing of persons in Charlie’s army. and that he held a very important office…..”!!! But its authors didn’t feel the necessity of providing an index So let me beg any aspiring authors among you readers with the book. A friend and I did feel the need, and set about of this column: PLEASE put a comprehensive index at the the arduous task of compiling one for our own edification! It back of any book you decide to write - whether it be a took a week or more of work! genealogical family manuscript, or a book published by a My first indication of an Index deficiency came about major publishing company! 20 years ago, in a set of books called MAGNA CARTA SURIETIES! We’ll discuss this set of books in a CEAD MILE FAILTE subsequent column. There are 7 volumes which are an “One hundred Thousand Welcomes” excellent source of research. When looking at one of the 7 volumes, I first consulted its index, looking for my Forrester New Members family. None were listed in this volume. BUT being the January-March 2010

“doubting Thomas” I am, I decided to let my fingers do the *Faye Ann Akers, Denver, CO walking. After thumbing through many pages, Lo and Bradley Sinclair Barker, Jr. Cheyenne, WY behold, there was an important pedigree with one of my Forrester lassies and her parents listed. They were from the Bradley Sinclair Barker III, Ft Collins, CO Forrester of Garden branch,, which contained important Sheila Marie Donnelly, Factoryville, PA officers of the King’s court in the 15th and 16th century. The JoAnne Patricia Eisenbarth, Boise, ID discovery of this pedigree provided the springboard for R. Conor O’Regan, Alexandria, VA further research on a family I didn’t even know existed. Dennis Lynn Miller, Muskogee, OK Having discovered the mention of this family, led me to Benjamin Thomas Sinclair, Winston Salem, NC wonder exactly which data the author considered important **Duncan A. Sinclair, Sherman Oaks, CA enough to put in his index. Jacob Drew Sinclair, Nevada City, CA Another example of an index lacking in content, was in Terry Lee St. Clair, St. Charles, MO a really neat condensation of the DOMESDAY BOOK, in one volume. The original Domesday is a large set of *2009 Long’s Peak Scottish Festival, Estes Park, CO volumes, giving a detailed list of the “holdings” of the **2010 Queen Mary Scottish Festival, Long Beach, CA English people in the year 1086. It was compiled by mostly monks under the direction of King William I of England,

Page 13 January-March 2010 CLAN SINCLAIR USA MEMBER CELEBRATES THE VOYAGE OF PRINCE HENRY SINCLAIR

Clan Sinclair USA member, Susan Green Grady’s ongoing commitment of time and energy to promote the memory of Henry St. Clair and his voyage of discovery to America in 1398 is messianic. She is a long standing member of the Prince Henry Society of North America and the Prince Henry Society of the USA whose objectives are to promote the recognition of Henry Sinclair as the first “documented explorer of North America” and aid research for the confirmation of his historical legacy as it relates to his North American Exploration. In 1998, Susan worked with the late Pete Cummings as a member of the 600th Anniversary Committee to commemorate Prince Henry Sinclair’s historic voyage to North America. For the Prince Henry Project Committee she wrote a book at the bark her brother Robert Green built to showcase the kind of time titled “A Medieval Hero” for young readers which was a boat in which Prince Henry sailed to America. collection of fictional stories based upon fact about various Susan is dauntless in her continuing effort to educate a aspects of Prince Henry’s visit to North America. unknowing public about Prince Henry’s pre-Columbian visit to An intrepid promoter of the Prince Henry story, Susan’s America. She sets up display tables of her Prince Henry endeavors over the years have taken many different forms, memorabilia at festivals and Scottish games throughout the ranging from writing letters to newspaper editors and taking Washington area and is most willing to talk to those interested part in radio and TV interviews to speaking engagements, about his voyage and the places he visited such as Westford, including one at the National Geographic headquarters in Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island. In the above Washington. She has marched in several Scottish heritage photo, she is shown displaying some of her Prince Henry parades, including the Day Parade in New York, where information at the Fifth Annual National Tartan Day Festival she proudly displayed the model of the early 1400 Scottish on Market Square in Alexandria, Virginia.

CLAN SINCLAIR MEMBER ALICE MILLER RECEIVES ACCOLADE - KNIGHT OF THE ST. ANDREW’S ORDER OF THE ROYAL THISTLE!

To those in Clan Sinclair who know her, she is Alice Miller of Modesto, California, a long-time member who has attended two international gatherings in Scotland and frequently contributes to Yours Aye. But in her alternative world of re-enactment, she is Lady Alice Sinclair, an active member of Saint Andrew’s Noble Order of Royal Scots, a guild of about 85 men, women and children who attend Scottish Renaissance Faires and Scottish Games in primarily Northern California. The Guild of Saint Andrew’s is a non-profit educational corporation dedicated to educating the public on the history, customs, dress and culture of Scotland in the mid 16th century by portraying the Court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Members of the guild play out the roles of different characters comprising the Court such as royals, ladies in waiting, courtiers and ambassadors, the guard, highlanders, Irish and children. Alice has been a member of St. Andrew’s Guild for 15 years, serving during the past five years as Modesto Guild House (Sinclair Castle) chatelaine or simply mistress of the castle. She is an able recruiter, responsible for bringing 20 new members into the guild over the years. Alice is a charter member of the guild’s Event Committee, planning Winter’s Feast, Opening of Parliament and other events. Operating a small business called Castle Treasures , she sells goods that appeal to Renaissance Faire folk, donating 10 percent of her table sales to the guild. For her long standing service, Alice was knighted by the guild in May of 2009, becoming a Royal Knight of the Realm, Knight of Saint Andrew’s Order of the Royal Thistle. The two photos show Alice in her ceremonial gown and “Mary, Queen of Scots” conferring knighthood upon Alice. Alice is quick to point out that her knighthood and title do not apply to the outside world and only have relevancy within the renaissance community in California.

January-March 2010 Page 14 Clan Sinclair Games & Festivals Tentative Participation Calendar April-October 2010

State Date Event/Place City Oregon April 10 > Oregon Scottish Heritage Festival-Linn County Fairgrounds Albany North Carolina April 16-18 > Loch Norman -Rural Hill Huntersville Nevada April 17-18 > Las Vegas Celtic Highland Games-Floyd Lamb Park Tule Springs Maryland April 24 > Southern Maryland Celtic Festival-Jefferson Patterson Park St. Leonard California April 24-25 > Sacramento Valley Scottish Games-Yolo County Fairgrounds Woodland Maryland May 8 > Frederick Celtic Festival-Frederick Fairgrounds Frederick Maryland May 15 > Colonial Highland Gathering-Fair Hill Race Track Fair Hill Oregon May 15 > Eugene Scottish Festival-Peace Presbyterian Church Eugene South Carolina May 28-29 > Scottish Games & Highland Festival-Furman University Greenville California May 29-30 > USS Highland Games-Orange County Fair & Event Center Costa Mesa Kentucky June 3-6 > Kentucky Highland Games-Barren River Lake Park Lucas Texas June 4-6 > Texas Festival & Games-Maverick Stadium Arlington Rhode Island June 12 > Scottish Heritage Festival-Washington County Fairgrounds Richmond Virginia June 12-13 > Potomac Celtic Festival-Morven Park Equestrian Center Leesburg Illinois June 18-19 > St. Andrews Society Highland Games-Oakbrook Polo Grounds Oakbrook Massachusetts June 26 > Massachusetts Highland Games-Franklin County Fairgrounds Greenfield California June 26-27 > San Diego Scottish Highland Games-Brengle Terrace Park Vista Wyoming June 26-27 > Wyoming Celtic Festival & Games-Cam-Plex Park Gillette North Carolina July 8-11 > Grandfather Mountain Games-MacRae Meadows Linville Oregon July 10-11 > Athena Caledonian Games-City Park Athena Massachusetts July 17 > Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival-Look Park Florence Oregon July 17 > Portland Scottish Games-Mt. Hood Community College Gresham Washington July 24-25 > Pacific Northwest Games-Enumclaw Expo Center Enumclaw Washington August 7 > Spokane Highland Games-Spokane Expo Center Spokane Oregon August 14 > High Desert Celtic Festival-Jefferson County Fairgrounds Madras Washington August 14 > Whidbey Island Games-Greenbank Farm Greenbank Maine August 21 > Maine Highland Games-Thomas Point Beach Brunswick Oregon August 21-22 > Douglas Highland Games-Riverbend Park Winston California September 4-5 > Pleasanton Highland Games-Alameda County Fairgrounds Pleasanton Virginia September 4-5 > Virginia Scottish Games-Great Meadows Equestrian Center The Plains California September 13 > Fresno Highland Games-Fresno Roeding Regional Park Fresno Washington September 13-14 > Kelso Highlander Festival-Tam O’Shanter Park Kelso New Hampshire September 17-19 > New Hampshire Highland Games-Loon Mountain Lincoln Oregon September 18 > Eastern Oregon Games-Grant County Fairgrounds John Day Virginia October 2 > Williamsburg Scottish Festival-Rockahock Campgrounds Lenexa Maryland October 2-3 > Chesapeake Celtic Festival-Living Heritage Museum Snow Hill California October 9-10 > Seaside Highland Games-Seaside Park Ventura Georgia October 15-17 > Stone Mountain Highland Games-Stone Mountain Park Stone Mountain Virginia October 23-24 > Meadow Highlands Games & Festival-The Meadow Event Park Doswell

Page 15 January-March 2010 2010 GAMES & FESTIVALS REPORTS CALIFORNIA Queen Mary Scottish Festival - Long Beach February 13-14 It was exactly a year to the day since I stepped foot on the Queen Mary. Exactly, a year since I sought out the Clan Sinclair booth. A year since I volunteered to run the booth next time. Oh what I had done in a year to prepare for this weekend. I had researched and written a book on my Sinclair line, traveled to Scotland and toured with Malcolm and Ian, joined the DNA Project and Ancestry.com and bought a Ancient Sinclair plaid skirt. For the table I had collected an entire suitcase of history books, travel brochures, clan maps, handouts, piper music, and crest stamps. My 1970’s plaid lunch box was filled with children’s hats, dolls and tin soldiers. My dad even came up from San Diego for the weekend wearing the Sinclair bow tie I had got for him (“no thank you”). We sat all weekend and only met one new Sinclair who was mildly interested in learning about the clan. However, each of the other clans kindly came over and introduced themselves to “the new Sinclairs”. Apparently there is a tight knit community of clan booth workers. They are friendly, playful and above all very welcoming. Some invite their family for a mini reunion complete with picnic and parade. Others mingle with their clan neighbors swapping stories about the clan and their own lives interchangeably. Turns out working a clan booth isn’t about stuff. We only needed to open ourselves up to the Scottish community and make others feel welcome too. Late on Sunday I gave a book to a little 8 year old girl who wasn’t even in clan Sinclair. It was her first Games and she wanted to learn about her Scottish heritage. I gave her The Far Side of the Loch by Melissa Wiley, which is about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 3rd great grandmother. I hope she feels as excited and welcome as I did a year ago.

Libby Huff, Tent Host

FLORIDA Central Florida Scottish Highland Games - Winter Springs January 16-17 The festivities began Friday night with a sponsors reception and pub night held at the host hotel, where Clan Sinclair was represented as a “Clan Sponsor.” This year was the largest reception in recent years, with more than 200 people attending. In fact, people had to be turned away at the door. On top of that, the whisky tasting was sold out a month before the event. Compared to the week before, the weather was great. The weekend before the games, Central Florida was under freeze warning for four days, which was a record cold for the area. Saturday and Sunday the clans gathered at “zero dark thirty” on the field to set up tents. This was another record; the event ran out of tents and had to borrow some from the City of Winter Springs. The attendance ran approximately between 15,000 and 20,000 total for both days. The Clan Sinclair tent was attended by Ted and Sara Jim, Marva and Ethan Harvey; Sara and Ted Seater Seater; Jim and Marva Harvey. Ted and Sara’s grandson, Ethan, also attended but spent most of his time out on the field. We greeted many Sinclair’s and friends. A group of five or six older teenagers came up to the tent and said that their mother was a Sinclair and they marched in the parade with us, and said next year they would be in . Activities at the Games this year included Scottish dancing, pipe bands, vendors selling all kinds of Scottish and Celtic wares and food, games for the children, athletic events and sheep dog demonstrations. This year, the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games introduced the Running River Ranch and their highland cattle. Ted was fascinated with the cattle and spent a lot of time talking with the owner of the Ranch and finding out more information on the breed. After talking with the owner Sara and Ted ate burgers made from the highland cattle. All in all, it was a great week-end.

Ted Seater, Central Florida Commissioner

January-March 2010 Page 16 VIRGINIA Scots Irish Heritage Festival - Lexington April 10 The weather was spectacular for the fourth annual Scots Irish Heritage Festival in Lexington, Virginia on April 10. The cool, sunny, breezy day brought out large crowds for this small event. As usual, the vendors were local artisans and craftspeople with an array of handmade pottery, jewelry, soaps, woodcrafts and Celtic wares. Besides the local pipe and drum bands, there were also wonderful singers and musicians, like Carl Peterson and Mary Smith. A handful of “Highlanders” demonstrated some of the Highland Games to the crowd. The Sinclair tent was manned by myself and my daughter, Mei, and we were very busy with a steady stream of clan cousins and others wanting to discuss aspects of Sinclair history. Others just wanted to view the helpful information we always display Alison Sinclair on other clan crests and . Stopping by to chat were Sara Lapsley (mother is a Sinclair) with her husband and a friend from Lexington. They are perennial visitors and I love to hear about their trips to Scotland. Also checking in were Timothy and Josh St. Clair from Callaway who were very excited about finding out about their Scottish heritage. James St. Clair from Fairfield came by with his wife and their (very cute) 8-month-old daughter. Also, Trina Cline from Roanoke was very surprised that the Clines are a of Clan Sinclair and took home some information. Finally, Connie McLaughlin stopped in to say “hi” before she made her way back to Herndon to see the Ginns. This festival gets bigger and better every year and we are very much looking forward to going back to the mountains again next year.

Alison Sinclair, Virginia Commissioner

Tartan Day Festival on Market Square - Alexandria April 3 Clan Sinclair was one of several clans and Scottish heritage societies that set up tents at the Fifth Annual Tartan Day Festival on Market Square. There were a number of vendors present, including a couple selling Scottish theme prints and artwork and several selling Celtic jewelry. There was a music stage with plenty of entertainment throughout the afternoon. The weather was great and there was a big turnout of people guarantying a steady stream of visitors to the tent. Tom Sinclair and I shared the hosting duties, including tent set-up. Later in the afternoon, Jeff Sinclair and Connor Harrison joined us to help out. Other clan members visiting the tent included; Conor O’ Regan, his wife, Jasmin, and daughter Rihana, Susan Green Grady and Cheryl Mitchell. We recruited two new members, Eugene St. Clair of Arlington and Nancy Vessa who came all the way from Centennial, Colorado to visit our tent. All things considered, this was a good festival and we will be returning next year. For several of our members - Jeff Sinclair and Connor Harrison, Conor O’ Regan and his family and Cheryl Mitchell - their next clan event will be the Greater Greenville Scottish Games & Highland Festival on May 28 and 29. Locally, our next event will be Tom Sinclair the Potomac Celtic Festival in Leesburg on June 12-13.

Bud Ginn, Virginia Commissioner A NOTE FROM THE CLAN STORE MANAGER Dear fellow clansmen and women: There are several things happening with the Clan Store now. At the moment, the Store is in a state of transition, but is open for business. I am taking inventory and updating the Clan Sinclair product line as well as taking photographs of merchan- dise items so with a fuller description of the items you can better see what is offered, look for it in future newsletters and on line at the Clan Sinclair USA website. If you have any suggestions on merchandise you might like to see in the Store please contact me via email [email protected] or you can call me at 678-402-8601. One of my goals is to “unveil” some of the new line during the AGM at the Greenville Games May 28 and 29, 2010.

Page 17 January-March 2010 Clan Sinclair Association, Inc. (USA) Clan Store

Spring 2010

Product Unit Description Qty Total Number Price

1 Sinclair Crest Lapel Pin / Tie-Tac — Crest is blue and gold with white background $10.00

2 Engrailed Cross Pin / Tie-Tac — White pin with black engrailed cross $5.00

3 Engrailed Cross Flag ( 3’ x 5’ ) $65.00

4 Clan Sinclair Tote Bag— Ivory canvas 15” x 16” tote bag with crest on front $10.00

5 Sinclair Tartan Visor— Made from Sinclair Hunting Green cotton. ( one size fits all ) $15.00

Books— ( check your selection )

______Guide to Rosslyn Chapel– a reprint of 100 pages– a refreshing view of a $10.00 6 famous chapel— by Reverend John Thompson edited by Ward Ginn, FSA Scott ______Templar Legacy & the Masonic Inheritance— by Tim Wallace Murphy $10.00 7 ______8 ___Sword of the North- ( Novel about Prince Henry ) — by Richard White $20.00 Rare copy— ( out of print ) *limited*

Video

9 ___ Sinclair Castles– Video narrated by our Chief *limited* ______$15.00

Books on CD — ( check your selection ) ______$10.00 10 ____ Chapel and Castle of Rosslyn— containing more than 180 pages of hard to Find information about Rosslyn Chapel and Castle and near by landmarks. ______$10.00 11 ____ The Saint-Clairs of the Isles— by Roland Williams Saint-Clair 12 ____ The History of Caithness — by James T. Calder ______$10.00

13 Commemorative Plate — Prince Henry Voyage 1398—1998 *limited* $10.00

14 Forest Green Polo w/ Sinclair Crest 2000 SM / MED / LG *limited* $10.00

15 White T-shirt 2 sided Black and White MED only *limited* $10.00

Customer Mailing Information: Sub Total $ ______

Name: ______Add 10% for Shipping $ ______

Total Enclosed $ ______Address: ______Please send checks payable to “ Clan Sinclair “and City: ______mail to: Clan Sinclair Store State:______Zip: ______209 The Glades Chapel Hill, NC 27517 E-mail:______

** Sorry we do not except Credit Cards at this time ** Phone:______Clan Sinclair Association, Inc., (USA) The Right Honorable Malcolm Sinclair, The Hereditary Chief of Clan Sinclair

Mel Sinclair Alta Jean (AJ) Ginn President Membership Secretary 224 Bransfield Road 12147 Holly Knoll Circle Greensville, SC 29615 Great Falls, VA 22066 864-268-3550 703-430-6745 [email protected] [email protected]

Web Site: clansinclairusa.org

Membership Classifications: (please circle one)

Membership (includes spouse and all minor children living at home)…………………….………..$20.00 Sponsor Membership……………………………………………………………………………...…$35.00

New Member _____ Renewal _____

New Members: Did you receive this application from a Clan Sinclair Representative? Yes ___ No ___ Name of Representative if known:______

Did you receive this application from your local Highland Games? Yes ___ No ___ Name of Highland Games attended______

PLEASE PRINT

Last Name:______First: ______Middle: ______Birth Date: ______

Spouse Name: ______First: ______Middle: ______Birth Date: ______

MINOR CHILDREN: (Living at home)

Name: ______Birth Date: ______Name: ______Birth Date: ______

Name: ______Birth Date: ______Name: ______Birth Date: ______

ADDRESS:

Street or P. O. Box: ______

City: ______State/Province: ______Zip Code: ______

Telephone # ______Email Address: ______

Occupation: ______Scottish Interests: ______

CLAN CONNECTION: (From whom in your family do you inherit the name Sinclair or Sept name) Father ____ Paternal Grandfather ____ Paternal Grandmother ____ Mother ____ Maternal Grandfather ____ Maternal Grandmother ____ Other (Explain) ______

Membership is good for the period of one year from the date of application or renewal. A renewal notice will be sent to you in the month your membership expires. Make check or Money Order payable to Clan Sinclair and mail to:

Clan Sinclair, 12147 Holly Knoll Circle, Great Falls, VA 22066

WE DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS AT THIS TIME! Clan Sinclair Association (USA) 12147 Holly Knoll Circle Great Falls, VA 22066 clansinclairusa.org

To:

THE ROYAL HUNT OF ROSLIN

King Robert the Bruce, when he returned from Ireland, and his country free from King Edward’s tyranny, began to take pleasure in pastimes, as hunting and hawking. So upon a time he appointed a great hunting upon Pentland Hills, which was then the king’s forrest, and when nobles were all assembled, and had made two or three days’ pastime, he declared to them how he had oft hunted a white faunch deer, never ever could his hounds prevaill, and desired them if they had any to try them. They hearing the king’s speech, denied that they had any could kill the deer. Sir William Saintclair, having two red fellow hounds, named Help and Hold, says, not thinking that any should charge his words, that he would wager his head that they should kill the deer before ever she came over the marche burne; but the words no sooner evanished in the aire, but it was declared to the king, who takeing indignation that his hounds should be the speediest, would have him abide att his word, and laid against his head all Pentland Hills and Pentland Moor, with the Forest, and immediately he caused make proclamation that all should bind up their hounds, and be quiet, least they should affray the deer, except a few horsemen with ratches to search her forth. Sir William Saintclair, greatly astonished att that, went with his hounds to the best hounding part he could find, and, according to the custome of that time, he prayed to Christ, the blessed Virgin Marie, and Sainte Kathrine, as mediators, to save him from danger. His prayer was no sooner ended, but the deer, by clamour of the people being raised, came off the back hills to that part where he was, who hunting his hound his hound called Hold first, then Help, and followed speedily himself, being mounted upon a gallant steed, till he saw the hinde passé to the middle of the burne, wherat he fell on his face, beseeching Christ to have mercie on him, but the hound called Hold came to the deer, and made her stay in the burne, and then Help came and made her goe to the same side where Sir William was, and there slew her. The king sieing this, came and embraced Sir William, and gave him those lands in free forestrie, which contained the Kirktone, Loganhouse, Earnscraig, Whitehaugh, Easter and Wester Summerhopes, Back and For Spittles, Midlethird and Skipperfields. After this Sir William Saintclair, in remembrance of this, in the plasce where he made his last devotion, builded the church of St. Katherine in the Hopes, which now remains to this day. Know, reader, that the hill on which King Robert stayed till the deer was hunted, to this day is called the King’s Hill, and the place where Sir William hunted is called the Knight’s field. It is reported that Sir William Saintclair sent a priest to the grave of that holy woman Saint Kathrine, in which there is a precious oyle, that issueth from her bones, to bring him therof, that he might carry it to his new-builded chapel. The priest goeing, and returning with the oyle, he became so weary that he was forced by the way to rest him att a place a mile distant from Libertoune Church, where falling asleep upon a rush bush near by, lost his oyle. The news wherof coming to Sir William Sainclair, he made the workemen to dig the place where the oyle was spilt, and presentlie up sprung a fountain, which to this day hath like a black oyle swimming upon it. He then bethought himself of the great robberie committed about Sainte Kathrines in the Hopes, considering that Saint Kathrine would not permit the baulme of her bones to brought to sutch a prophane place, least they who came to worship there should, without all religious reverence, be rigorously robbed. From Roland Saint Clairs’s “The Saint Clairs of the Isles” (Father Hay’s account of legend at page 479)